The Hound of the Baskervilles

1939
PG
1h 20m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Wendy Barrie and Richard Greene in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson investigate the legend of a supernatural hound, a beast that may be stalking a young heir on the fog-shrouded moorland that makes up his estate.Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson investigate the legend of a supernatural hound, a beast that may be stalking a young heir on the fog-shrouded moorland that makes up his estate.Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson investigate the legend of a supernatural hound, a beast that may be stalking a young heir on the fog-shrouded moorland that makes up his estate.

Director
- Sidney Lanfield
Writers
- Ernest Pascal
- Arthur Conan Doyle
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

12K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Sidney Lanfield
Writers
- Ernest Pascal
- Arthur Conan Doyle
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win total

User reviews124

Featured review

8/10

"Murder, my dear Watson. Refined, cold-blooded murder."

Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) must protect the heir to a wealthy estate, Sir Henry Baskerville (Richard Greene, who oddly receives top billing). A family legend states that a demonic hound kills all Baskerville men because of something one of their ancestors did. The first Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes film. One of two Sherlock films made by 20th Century Fox in 1939 before the series found its home at Universal, with Holmes updated to the present day.

Basil Rathbone is excellent in what would become his career-defining role. To me, Basil Rathbone IS Sherlock Holmes. I know the books have a rabid following and from my experiences with some of these devotees, they don't care much for the Rathbone films. Such is their loss. One of the primary complaints from the book fans is Nigel Bruce's portrayal of Watson. Apparently they feel he's a bumbling cartoon of a character. I can't agree with that. Bruce's Watson is a loyal, brave, warm, decent man. That he is used sometimes to bring levity to the otherwise serious tone of the films is hardly a bad thing, in my opinion. If you want to see a detective series with a truly buffoonish comic relief sidekick, I can recommend plenty.

A wonderful supporting cast backing up Rathbone and Bruce that includes Lionel Atwill, John Carradine, Wendy Barrie, Barlowe Borland, and E.E. Clive. Nice direction, great atmosphere and sets. Love the foggy moor. A good start to a wonderful series.

utgard14
Apr 1, 2014
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Trivia
In the original novel, and in all later film versions, the butler is named Barrymore. In this version, the butler was renamed Barryman since the famous Barrymore family - Lionel Barrymore, Ethel Barrymore and John Barrymore - were still acting in films at the time.

Goofs
The Baskerville and Stapleton houses on Dartmoor appear to be lit by gas. At that time, gas was available only in proximity to a gas works and thus only in towns: it was known as "town gas". So people living in remote mansions would have had to rely on candles and oil lamps.

Quotes
Sherlock Holmes: Did he tell you his name?
Cabby: Yes sir.
Sherlock Holmes: What did he say it was?
Cabby: Sherlock Holmes, sir
Sherlock Holmes: What?
Cabby: Well, that's the name what he give me, sir. Sherlock Holmes!
[all laugh]
Sherlock Holmes: Well, whoever it is, at least has a sense of humor!